Phoenix, AZ - Nashville recording artist Steve Richards gathers a crossroad of musicians including bassist Dave Ellefson and lead guitarist Marty Friedman of Megadeth fame along with his Nashville friends keyboardist Jimmy Nichols and pedal steel guitarist Mike Smith to record "That Makes It Tough", one of the last songs written by Buddy Holly. Additional musicians include Mike Andrews on drums with Richards on vocals and rhythm guitar. The musicians have scheduled their recording session on Sunday, August 11th in the Phoenix area.

Buddy Holly originally recorded "That Makes It Tough" on "The Apartment Tapes" as he was taking his music into a new rhythm and blues direction shortly before his death. Steve Richards encompasses the history of Buddy's musical background combining country, rock n' roll, and rhythm and blues that is destined to set a new trend in the music industry.

Richards' upcoming CD release "Southbound Train" reflects his singer/songwriter talents as his music wisps through the "Arizona Skies" and d ances on the rails with the title tune "Southbound Train". The river of emotions runs deep with the heart-wrenching songs of "Take Me To The Rain" and "Crisis In Our Land". Steve Richards shares the producer spotlight on all but two of this project's songs with Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Gary Buck who also provides vocals on the upbeat down home style song "Hurry Road". Lindsey Frese soars to great heights as she sings a duet with Richards in the love song "The Eagle and The Rose" and Marty Robbins is remembered in "West Texas Tears", an unforgettable tribute written by Scott Turner. Additional tracks on the 12-song effort include "Mama", "Glory Bound", "Elijah Blue", and 'The Rainbow Warrior". The keen ear, steady hand, watchful eye and creative mind of Nashville's Tom Pick have been recruited for engineering duties. Pick has engineered projects by Janie Fricke, Porter Wagoner, Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley and Charlie Pride, to name just a few. John Gray also engineered several of the recording sessions and lends his guitar expertise to "Take Me To The Rain".

Steve Richards' musical inspirations began during his formative years when he spent much time traveling between California and Arizona. His first guitar was given to him by his late Uncle John. Throughout his lifetime, Richards drew upon his experiences and soul-stirring landscapes to write his songs. Some of his most prolific music is spurred by some profound life memories including his four-year United States Air Force stint where he served in Weisbaden, Germany and attended every concert he could; his desire to jump trains as influenced by the Woody Guthrie documentary "Bound for Glory"; his great admiration for John Lennon; the ten years he and his wife Victoria spent taking care of abandoned children; the effect cancer survivors had on his emotions with their words of hope and personal courage; and the place he calls home - Arizona, USA. 

by the Music Industry News Network.